Bracket for attaching flagpoles to parking meters



Aug. 10, 1954 c. F. RAYMOND 2,685,029

BRACKET FOR ATTACHING FLAGPOLES TO PARKING METERS Filed Aug. 25, 1952 fave/Z507 a/rZesfij g a/ymnd Patented Aug. 10, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRACKET FOR ATTACHING FLAGPOLES T PARKING METERS v 2 Claims. 1

My invention relates to brackets for attaching flagpoles to parking meters, and while such brackets are more particularly adapted for displaying the national flag on patriotic occasions, they are equally adaptable for displaying other flags and banners on festive occasions.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved flagpole bracket which is simple, inexpensive, and durable.

Another object of my invention is to provide flagpole brackets which may be permanently installed and into which flagpoles or other similar poles may be quickly and easily inserted and removed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved bracket in which the poleengaging portion automatically shifts to an out of-the-way position when the flagpole is removed.

These and other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds and is read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing a pair of my brackets supporting a flag and flagpole upon a parking meter; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my novel bracket, and shows in detail the structural features.

It is the custom of the various retail stores and other businesses in our cities to display the American flag before their places of business on certain holidays. In the past the flag has been displayed by providing a socket or cylindrical hole in the sidewalk in front of the places of business into which the flagpole is inserted. Also portable flagpole bases have been used.

There are many disadvantages attendant upon displaying our flag in the manner set forth above. For instance, the use of the cylindrical openings in the sidewalk are particularly disadvantageous because these openings become filled with dirt or other debris that must be periodically cleaned out. Also it frequently happens that a flagpole will be broken off in the socket, since the only support is at the extreme end of the pole.

Portable stands are not satisfactory as supports for flags and banners as these stands are dangerous to pedestrians, may be easily stolen, and often become lost due to the fact that they are used infrequently. Furthermore, only extremely heavy stands can provide an ample support. Also like the socket support, the stands support the flagpole solely at its lower end, and therefore the flagpole may be readily broken off.

Today in many cities parking meters are installed at the curb in front of most retail stores and other business houses. My invention broadly contemplates using the parking meters to provide a support for the flagpole, thereby eliminating the necessity of providing sockets in the sidewalk or the use of portable stands. As will be hereinafter pointed out, I have devised a bracket which may be permanently secured to the parking meter so as to provide a simple means of supporting a flagpole.

Referring to Fig. 1, a pair of my novel brackets, generally designated I0, are secured to a supporting tube I2, of parking meter M. A base I6 is secured to supporting tube I2, and is usually embedded in the sidewalk adjacent the curb of a street.

My novel bracket consists of a first ring portion l8, having a cylindrical opening 20, and a second similar ring portion 22 having a cylindrical opening '24. A pair of spaced ears 26 are formed integrally with ring portion l8, and an ear 28 is formed integrally with ring portion 22. Ear 28 has a width slightly less than the distance between ears 26. Ears 26 and 28 are provided with bores therethrough, and a clevis pin 30 is disposed through these bores to pivotally connect ring portions l8 and 22.

Cylindrical opening 20 of ring portion is has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the supporting tube l2 of the parking meter, so that ring portion I8 may be mounted over tube l2. A look screw 32 is threaded through ring portion It to secure ring portion H3 in any given position on supporting tube l2.

Likewise a lock screw 34 is provided in ring portion 22. A flagpole 36 (Fig. 1) may be inserted through cylindrical opening 24 of ring portion 22 and locked therein by lock screw 34. The lock screws 34 are not essential because the hinged rings 22 will 'bind the flagpole and hold it firmly within the rings without slippage.

In Fig. 1 a pair of brackets has been used to attach flagpole 36 to supporting tube l2 of the parking meter. One of the brackets is positioned near the base It of the parking meter, and the other bracket is positioned near the upper end of the supporting tube I 2. Since ring portion 22 is free to pivot relative to ring portion l8, ring portion 22 will assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, when a flagpole is not disposed within cylindrical opening 24. In order to mount flagpole 26 on the parking meter, it is only necessary to pivot ring portion 22 of the upper bracket to a horizontal position, lower the flagpole through the opening therein, pivot ring portion 22 of the lower bracket to a horizontal posi- Fur-ther more, it should be appreciatedthat only ione-of my brackets is necessary to attach a' flagpolwto' a parking meter. For example, only the upper bracket of Fig. 1 could be used. bracket is used the lower endeotflagpole 36 rests against the ground or sidewalk.

Wheir'only on It should be appreciated that since ringpdrtion 22 will pivot to the position shown in dotted lines-in Fig.-*"1,-due to the forcesof gravity-the bracket willbe disposed close to supporting tube 12; This-reduces'thepossibility of a pedestrianbumping against the bracket. 3

The ring portions-18 and-22 may be formedofanysuficien'tly strongmaterial; .I havefoundit expedient to-formthese parts of castliron,

Having now described 'my" invention in detail it should be understood that-I have provided a novel bracket-for attachingfiagpoles to parking meters, which; as a simple attachment, converts a parking meter-into areadysupport 'for flag-s polesor any other type of; pole. The bracket does not: interfere :with the use of one parking meter while ofiering a positive support for -.-the banner pole. 1 I claim:

1. In combination with the--cylindrioal 2sup.-

porting tube of a parking meter or the like,-a pair of brackets attached to said tube in vertically spaced relation and in vertical alignment for supporting a flag pole or similar object from said support tube, said brackets each comprising ring sections joined togethed by a hinged joint having a horizontal pin, one ring section being telescoped over said supporting tube and the other ring section being adapted to be telescoped over the flagipol'e orother objectxvhich isto be supported in 'verticalpositioh alongsidc said supporting tube, and means for anchoring the firstmentioned ring section to said supporting tube. said hinged vjoint-permitting the other ring section to'be -swung" from a horizontal position to a substantially vertical position alongside the supporting-"tube when the bracket is not being a used.. for supporting v=said flag pole or similar object.

2.-'The -combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the ring section which surrounds the supportingstube .is continuous and integral; whereby removal of the bracket from saidsupporting-tube byunauthorized'persons is impeded References:- Cited in the file of this patent" UNITED' 'STATES PATENTS Number Name Date v 640,446 Converse 1'; J an." 2, 1900' 694,888 Pfluger Mari-4, 1902'" 778,381" Sprague'; Dcf27, 190a 818;937 Burde'n' Apr."24,*'1906 972,312 Wdbdlllff 1; Oct."11, 19l 0" 2,055,'842" Haislip 1;. Sept. 29,f1936-- 2,351,858 Ingalls June 20,1944" FOREIGN= PATENTS Number Country- Date- 9,074 Great Britaiir AprI-30,'-1896 

